Ed, Edd n Eddy vs. Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

Hello my fellow Cartoon Lovers, today I will be critiquing Ed, Edd n' Eddy (1999) and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters (1994). Ok, I know you are probably thinking, what similarities do these two shows have in common? Well, just bear with me and I'll show you. Ed, Edd n' Eddy is a cartoon series about three young boys, who are always pranking the other kids in the neighborhood and getting into some kind of trouble. Even though they have completely different personalities, they compliment each other very well and have this weird harmonious effect. They are best friends who depend on one another to obtain their main objective, scamming the kids of their money to buy jawbreakers. Ed is "as dumb as a doornail"—quote from Eddy in the show—but he is the muscle of the group. He has this unimaginable amount of strength and the most horrifying oder, but has an innocent, naive disposition. Edd—A.K.A. Double Dee—is the brainiac who makes Eddy's ideas happen. He is the smartest kid in the cul-de-sac, but he can be a overly dramatic. Eddy is the "wise guy." He comes up with the scams and is the self-proclaimed leader of the group. He is the macho trickster that thinks everyone should look up to him and show respect, but he really just wants to be noticed and accepted by all the other kids. The only way the kids will show respect towards him is if his older brother is around—who is never seen in any of the shows, until Ed, Edd n' Eddy's Big Picture Show. [1]

Aaahh!!! Real Monsters is a cartoon show about three young monsters, who attend a monster's academy to become...well, monsters. The cartoon centers around them completing their assignments by scaring the humans on the surface and doing their best to stay out of trouble. Ickis is the red-colored monster who is sometimes mistaken for a bunny, because of his long ears. He is respected and considered to be the leader of the group, because his father was the top student at the monster's academy. Oblina is a black and white, striped monster that has a body in the shape of a candy-cane. She is the most talented monster in the academy, because of her scaring abilities and also the smartest one in the group. Krumm is one of the more gruesome looking characters. He has the body of a small man, no neck, no head and carries his eyeballs in his hands. His ultimate scare tactic is his armpit stench...Starting to see the correlation? 

Ed, Edd n' Eddy

What I absolutely love about this show is the visual design and animation style. It has the classic cartoon feel and the environment has a retro layout. The design looks simple, but if you bay close attention to the line quality, you can see the lines move. I love this element of the design; it adds so much more life to the cartoon. The unusual proportion sizing of the different props is a visual gag that brings another different aspect of the cartoon. For example, in the episode "Stuck in the Ed", Eddy runs out of ideas for a scam, so he decides to buy on from Jimmy. Jimmy comes up with the idea to make fruit-pops for the kids in the neighborhood. Instead of using a popsicle mold or ice-tray, he uses refrigerators and sticks a wooden plank in the middle as the popsicle stick...How awesome is that! And to think that the kids can actually carry those things around in there pockets, is beyond me.There are times when Double Dee creates a new device that requires a remote control and the remote control is huge. The style really goes beyond the boundaries of reality and it becomes fun, imaginative cartoon.

The animation style is similar to the style. It stretches the boundaries of animated cartoons. I noticed that as the cartoon progressed, the squash and stretch, character movements and facial expressions become more exaggerated and "pushed." I love when a cartoon goes all out on the animation and movements. At the beginning, the colors were a little pale and washed-out, but as it progressed the, the colors became more saturated and vibrant. In the last few seasons, when the kids start going to school, the characters' outline doesn't move anymore, but the animation was stronger, livelier and the colors are richer. Ed, Edd n' Eddy's Big Picture Show is a perfect example of the amazing transformation and a great finale to end the show. 

As this show progressed, it became so much more enjoyable to watch. I loved watching every minute and the humor was clever and stupid—stupid in a good way. I definitely would have to say that this is one of my favorite shows and I am sad to see the series end. Rest in Peace to those lovable "Ed boys."

Aaahh!!! Real Monsters

This cartoon really shows it's creative side through the character design. The different varieties of monsters is imaginative, but I feel that it's a little lacking. Of course I have to keep in mind that this is a children's cartoon so the monsters can't be too scary looking. I do think that the characters have great texture. You can really see the lumps, bumps and ridges of each character. This adds a subtle lifelike quality to the cartoon. The colors are very dark and grungy, which fits the show because the monsters live underneath the dump. 

The animation style is ok. It's not eye-catching, but the movements and fluidity of the characters is well done and communicates well to the audience. The humor is very subtle, with some mild adult humor and visual gags. 

Overall, I really don't have a lot to say about this cartoon. There are a few elements that are unique, but it just feels like another 90s cartoon.

My Opinion

I think that Ed, Edd n' Eddy is definitely the winner out of the two. The animation, creative aspect, visual design and the humor is definite win. I am sad to see the series go. Aaahh!!! Real Monsters isn't a bad cartoon. It's very enjoyable and safe for kids to watch, but coming from an older audience it, it's just one of those good-old classic 90s cartoons they grew-up with.

[1] YouTube.com. Ed, Edd n' Eddy Big Picture Show Full. (n.d.) Retrieved from  

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuA6nWka7Rg 

          

MAD vs. Robot Chicken

Hello everyone, today I am going to try something a little different. Today I will be explaining the differences and similarities between MAD (2010) and Robot Chicken (2005)...No critique whatsoever. I have been getting a lot of controversy from people I know, over these two cartoons. A few of my friends have said that the MAD cartoon series doesn't live up to the MAD magazine. They've also said that it's not very creative because it just comes off as a kid friendly version of Robot Chicken and that's the reason why they don't air it on "Adult Swim." It's ironic how Cartoon Network airs the show right before "Adult Swim" begins. 

They are not far apart from each other in age, but I just want to have a little fun with this post. I want to know what you all think. What certain qualities do you like about one cartoon that the other doesn't have? Is this one funnier than the other? Is it more clever, enjoyable or just bad? I'm interested in what you all think. Speak your mind. Let it out! No profanity, please...

MAD

• Media: Animation
• Animation Style: Majority is 2D animation
• Genere: Sketch Comedy
• Humor: Mild Adult humor; references to pop culture; visual puns and gags; sexual innuendoes

Here is a sketch clip for reference purposes.

 [1]

Robot Chicken

• Media: Animation
• Animation Style: Claymation and Puppet Stop Motion
• Genere: Sketch Comedy
• Humor: Strong Adult humor (Meant for a mature audience), references to pop culture; visual puns and gags; strong violence and sexual content

Here is a sketch clip for reference purposes (MATURE AUDIENCE ONLY! Contains material not suitable for children). 

 [2]

[1] SpiderMike Fualkner (2010, September 30). Retrieved December 20, 2012, from 

         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7LdshlJBgrw

[2]  AdultSwim (2009, December 7). Retrieved December 20, 2012, from 

         http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cizlx6ODhuE

As Told by Ginger vs. Pepper Ann

Hello Cartoon Lovers, today I will be critiquing As Told by Ginger (2000) and Pepper Ann (1997). As Told by Ginger is cartoon about a teenage, red-headed girl named Ginger Foutley. The cartoon centers around her and her best friends (Darren, Dodie and Macie) surviving junior-high and learning valuable life lessons along the way. After an eventful day, the show concludes with Ginger writing her thoughts and events in her diary. A lot of the advice she receives is from her mom, Lois. She is the feisty mom who's not afraid to say what's on her mind, but has a loving, compassionate heart for her children. Carl is her annoying, scheming little brother, who is always on her case—which little brothers tend to have a reputation for. Lois, Carl and Ginger make the Foutley household you see on the screen. We rarely see Ginger's father; all that's known is that he and Lois are divorced. As for Pepper Ann, it pretty much the same storyline. The cartoon also centers around...a teenage, red-headed girl...She also as an annoying, little sister named Moose, who is often mistaken for a boy because of her tom-boyish look. Her mother, Lydia, is also a single mom. The difference is, Pepper Ann receives most of her advice from her conscience, and converses with it from time to time. Yes, she does have best friends who also tag along with her through the troubling times of adolescence, but the shows are more focused on her fantasies. She expresses her emotions in her daydreams. 

As Told by Ginger

As Told by Ginger does share some similar storyline elements with Pepper Ann, but Ginger's story is more relatable. Anyone from the general audience can relate to Ginger and her life events. The story is what really makes this cartoon a hit. Not only can people relate, but it provides valuable life lessons for a younger audience to earn from, which gives it a more genuine feel. The humor is also relatable. Things that you'd probably hear from your own family members could come up in this show. What is nice about the humor, is that it changes for each character. For instance, Ginger is a smart, uplifting character, so her humor will be more cheerful and light-hearted. Dodie is the uber, nerdy girl, so humor is centered on her nasally voice, accompanied by her intellectual remarks. Macie is the bubbly, trendy girl, so her humor will be more spaced-out and airy. Carl is the scheming troublemaker, so he will have more of a dark humor.

I am impressed by the character design. The design is so different from what studios were doing in the 90s. Although, construction of the characters are very "cartoony", the rich, earth tone colors give it a realistic feel. I will admit, the placement and shape of the mouths are a little off-putting for me, but I commend the originality overall. 

The cinematic quality is fair. There is really nothing all that special or new that catches my eye, but it maintains continuity and the layout is well done. The animation is really good, but I do find their movements to be a little stiff at times. I've noticed that their backs lack spinal movement and their necks seem stiff. When the characters are walking, it looks like they're just bobbing up and down. But it all depends on the look and style the creator wants. Overall, this cartoon is very enjoyable for audiences of all ages.  

Pepper Ann

Pepper Ann is one of those shows I never get tired of seeing. It's fun, energetic and flamboyant. The colors and layout are very bright and exciting. The colors compliment the animation very well. I like this style of animation, because of the exaggerated movements. I think it just brings so much more to a cartoon. 

I like the creativity behind the story. For example, the fact that Pepper Ann talks to her conscience, in the form of her reflection, is something I could imagine doing myselfI. Ok, it would be a little creepy, but it would still be cool. I do find some aspects of this cartoon relatable, but not as much as As Told by Ginger. 

This cartoon is very fun to watch and extremely entertaining. The animation style is lively and beautifully done. 

My Opinion

I consider both cartoons to be equally enjoyable. I do prefer watching Pepper Ann over As Told by Ginger, because of the animation style. It catches my eye and I love the classic look of the character designs.

"Then and Now"

Interview with Ashley Davis

This is an interview with Ashley Davis. She is a Senior at The University of Texas at Dallas and is an Arts and Technology major. She is studying Computer Animation to become a modeler and texture artist. I wanted to get her insight on the Juniors and how she compared them to the Seniors. 

• 
  TC: How do you feel about the quality of cartoons today compared to what they were back then?
  

  AD: Style and content has changed dramatically, due to the change in audiences. Back then of course, the technology was very simple; now that we have moved from basic cell animation and transition to digital, the cartoons are a lot clearer and the amount of creativity we can accomplish is not within reach. Today they are even incorporating 3D with 2D cartoons now—which is really cool.
• 
  

  TC:Give an example of one modern cartoon of today that you enjoy watching and why?
• 
  

  AD: The Legend of Kora! I've always been a big fan of The Last Aribender. This cartoon really stuck out the most from all the other modern cartoons. I'm a big person when it comes to story-lines, even in the games I play. If it doesn't have a good storyline, I won't watch or play it. The story was very historical. As a past martial artist myself, I was very interested in the different fighting styles. As an artist, I was pulled in by the landscapes and scenery. Everything was drawn really well and as a whole it really got me wanting more. I was very excited when I heard that The Legend of Kora was about to happen, 
• TC: Give me an example of a modern cartoon you hate, and Why?
• 
  

  AD: Gah! That is a hard one. I'm very open to all cartoons!!! If I had to pick one...I would say Danny Phantom. I dont' hate it, I just find it hard to follow sometimes. Most cartoons have episodes leading each other, adding some important story content to the next. In Danny phantom, It was kind of hard to find that flow. The episodes were fine. I just wish it had more story depth. It has the potential to go deeper. Then again I'm just a deep person so I can't make the show change just to fit my perspective 
  
  TC: Give me an example of an old school cartoon you liked to watch and Why?
• 
  

  AD: Courage the Cowardly Dog! Oh my goodness, I absolutely love that show! It scared the crap out of me, but I loved it anyways. I was a scary person myself back in the day. I Still am. I related to courage because he would defeat the odds and save the people he loved. I think that is what is lacking from cartoons nowadays, morals. It's all funny, and there is nothing wrong with that, but sometimes it's good to put in there a couple of life lessons. Courage the Cowardly Dog definitely did that; in its overly drastic ways. Plus it was hilarious the way he reacted when he got scared, priceless! 
• 
  

  TC: How do you feel about the future for modern cartoons?

  
  

  AD: It's bright, for sure. With the advancement of new technology and new generations of artist, there will be a wave of new idea's, new way of doing animation and creative ways of telling stories. However, even though we are going into the 3D world, we must not forget our 2D roots. Sometimes, people lose sight that everything actually started with just pencil and paper. In many ways, we still do that today, just with a twist.
• 
  

  TC: Ok, What I have noticed over the years, is that a lot of people have appealed to cartoons with dark humor, violence, sex and vulgarity. Why do you think that is?
• 
  

  AD: People are starting to find out that cartoons aren't just for kids anymore. Even the cartoons that are obviously for 10-14 age groups have little bits of adult humor in it. I can't really see the problem in it. If it was specifically made for adults or it's known that there is adult content in it. I think it can be relieving for people to see cartoons as innocent. They do stupid things cause they don't know any better; that is probably why some parents don't let their kids watch them. In a way, that is true. Now that adult themes are being introduced, the game has changed. Cartoons aren't stupid anymore. They're "smart" in a sense that they re-enact how normal adult people would react in certain situations. The difference is, for humor they make things overly violent, overly vulgar. It's funny, because normal adults wouldn't react that way and we don't' take it literally. I like that a younger audience will watch it; I actually prefer that...to an extent.
  
  For example, The Boondocks. That is an adult show, with adult content but its funny.They take real world situations or adaptations to certain situations and put a funny spin on it, that I can handle. In the end, It all depends on the cartoon. Plus, as kids turn into teens, then from teens to adults, I think it is appropriate that cartoons mature along with the audiences. I mean... I don't watch Barney anymore.That was for a younger audience. I'm older know and I want something I can relate to.
  
  TC: Do you think that the vulgarity is what makes the cartoons funnier than the watered down, safe cartoons? Or do you think they're equally funny?
• 
  

  AD: It can be, if used right. I like cartoons that do it tastefully. If a cartoon overdoes it, I lose interest. A balance between watered down and vulgar versions is a happy medium. Anything more or less and it's either way too adult, to the point were is can be XXX or I'm seriously questioning my age. I go back to the Boondocks example. Yes, cursing is involved, but you don't hear it 20 times in the same sentence. Another one is Samurai Champloo. Adult, yes. Violent, yes. Humor, definitely...the cursing is tasteful and accepted.The storyline has to take the lead if mature content is involved. Everything else is just an additive. 
• 
  

  TC: From my research, I've noticed that a lot of people online and in person, bash a lot of modern cartoons without giving them chance. Do you think that since our generation grew-up with the older cartoons, that they're more inclined to discredit the newer ones?
  
  AD: I don't think so. If they do, then they are closed minded. It's only when you appreciate the past that you open to the present or should I say the future. If anything, I have a greater appreciation of it. When I was little, I found out how cartoons were made.It was amazing! So much imagination came from the fingertips of artist back then; they were willing to spend countless hours behind a light box and draw characters frame by frame, just to get a desired effect. Now, the need for that is little to none. That opens up for more creations to be made in the smallest amount of time...that just makes it possible to get more crazy idea's out in the open. So my answer is no. I'd give credit. At some point, they too had to do something the hard way; that is the only way you can appreciate the easy.
• 
  

  TC: Ok, great! From an ATEC perspective—Arts and Technology Major perspective—when watching the premier show of a new cartoon, what's the first thing you evaluate?
• 
  

  AD: The look. I used to believe looks aren't everything, but geez! They say "don't judge the book by its cover", how else are you going to opened it and read the pages? Same thing for a good cartoon. Looks set the mood. It is part of the story and helps aid in storytelling. Looks my not be everything I agree, but it's the first thing you look at...we all do it. Animators will judge how a characters' movements "look" like. Riggers will judge the characters' to see if the mechanics "look" right. Textures artist (myself) will notice how well scenes "look". It's not till after, that we start getting technical with it and really find the good and the bad.
• 
  

  TC: Cool! Thank you so much Ashley. You've given me some really good insight.
• 
  

  AD: No problem! 

Regular Show vs. Beavis and Butt-head

What's up everyone, today I will be critiquing Regular Show (2010) and Beavis and Butt-head (1993) . Regular Show is an animated cartoon series about two best friends that live and work together, Mordecai and Rigby. The show revolves around them getting in and out of trouble. They live in a boarding house at a park, where they work as groundskeepers. Mordecai is a 23 year-old Blue Jay, who is the more mature and sensible one out of the two friends. Rigby is a 23 year-old Racoon who is always lazy, compulsive and irresponsible. When the two friends are together, work never gets done and they're always messing things up. As a result of their mess-ups, the consequences that follow are always extreme or supernatural. Their roommates always seem to get tangled in their dilemmas, but they work together to help one another. Pops is a British Lollipop man who is sweet, innocent and very naive; Skips is a beefed-up Yeti who loves to work out and is the "muscle" around the park; Benson is a gum-ball machine who is the boss and makes sure everything in the park is in order; Muscle Man (a.k.a. Mitch) is an overly macho, obnoxious who is commonly making "My Mom" jokes—which is suppose to be a spin-off of "Yo Momma" jokes and High Five Ghost is his best friend, who is always there to give Muscle Man a high five after all of his "My Mom" jokes. 

Beavis and Butt-head is a cartoon show about two teenage boys who are always getting into some kind of trouble. They love rock music, watching music videos and they love bashing on other people. The similarities between the cartoon are as follow:

• Two best friends that get into trouble when they're together and unsupervised. Difference is, Regular Show is more watered-down with their adult humor.
• One of the friends, tends to be a little bit more mature than the other (Regular Show: Mordecai and Beavis and Butt-head: Butt-head).
• They end up getting themselves into weird, unrealistic situations. Difference is, in Regular Show, the situation is more often supernatural, and in Beavis and Butt-head  the situation is just stupid. 
• The best friends share their signature confirmation laughs with one another. (Regular Show: the "Hm-hmhm-hm-hmm" laugh and Beavis and Butt-head: just their usual awkward laughs).

The more I think about the two cartoons as a comparison, the more I consider them to be parallel from each other. 

Regular Show

This cartoon definitely has a style of its own. It's is so different from all the other cartoons that are currently on Cartoon Network. The environment is very clean and has a realistic feel to it, almost like it we could go to that location ourselves. What adds to the uniqueness of this cartoon, are the random supernatural consequences that follow Mordecai and Rigby's actions. It adds the, "What the @#$%!" factor and makes a new genera of humor. If the viewers are not open-minded about the humor in this cartoon, it will come off as slow and boring. If you pay attention to the hidden adult jokes, visual puns, innuendoes and mild vulgarity, you will really enjoy this cartoon. The character styles incorporate a wide variety, from animals to inanimate objects talking to real human beings. The creativity level for this cartoon is off the charts and stands out from the crowd. 

The aesthetics of the characters are similar to the classic 20s and 30s "noodling". Sometimes the joints will completely bend or they'll just curl around. This play between smooth and sharp edges and corners, creates an appealing look that is easy on the eyes. I personally love this aspect of character design, because I also play with these details in my designs. The animation is paralleled to the look of the cartoon. The smooth and sharp play is also displayed in the animation and creates a unique style. The color scheme of the show, is also classic to the vintage cartoons. Again, it's very appealing, easy on the eyes and adds to the humor of the cartoon. For example, Muscle Man's skin is green. The green color, along with his deep voice, makes him seem sickly. He's suppose to be a macho character, yet he has an unappealing gut and barley any noticeable muscle. Color also comes into play with Benson. We all familiarize a gum-ball machine to me red, right? Well, the red color not only helps the viewer make a visual connection, but to express his overall personality. He is very quick-tempered, so we see him mad and frustrated often. The red expresses that element of his personality. When he really gets upset, the class casing, that holds the gum-balls, also turns red. 

The only down-side to this cartoon, is the lack of character depth. It does give some brief information in certain episodes, on certain characters, but shortened air time prevents that. On the other hand, the general audience honestly doesn't care how deep the cartoon goes. It's cohesive and makes sense, so it doesn't matter.  

This cartoon is definitely different, in a fantastic way. When I saw the first few episodes, I was a little turned off by the humor, but I new there was potential. I'm very open-minded when it comes to cartoons, so I warmed up to it. Once I understood the humor, I was hooked. [1]

Beavis and Butt-head

This cartoon is definitely, one of the pioneers for the adult cartoons we have to day. There's really not much to critique about this cartoon, except to say that it's simple. It's meant for a mature audience, so it really doesn't need all that "la-de-da" to communicate the theme. In a sense, the simpleness of it, is what makes the show. As chaotic as Beavis and Butt-head are, I see no need for any fancy animation, color scheme or depth. The humor speaks for itself and the expressiveness of the lines in the characters' design, communicates clearly. This cartoon was simply made  to watch, enjoy and rot the brains of countless children. And if your a 90s baby, you now exactly what I'm talking about. [2]

My Opinion

It's uncanny how alike and different theses two cartoons are. I enjoy watching both of them, just for sheer entertainment, but I would pick Regular Show over Beavis and Butt-head. 

[1] Regular Show. (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2012 from 
         http://www.tv.com/shows/regular-show/

[2] Beavis and Butt-head. (2012). Retrieved December 6, 2012 from  
         http://www.mtv.com/shows/beavis_and_butthead/series.jhtml

Interview with Hazel D. Tarr

Todays interview is with Hazel D. Tarr. She is the founder and Creative-Lead of Tarrka Studios, which is located in Hilliard, Ohio. She has a Bachelors Degree from Columbus College of Art & Design and she specializes in documentaries, animation and video. 

TC: First off, I want to thank you again for helping me. I know you are very busy and I appreciate your time.

HT: Not a problem. Besides we need to make sure you are able to complete your assignment!

TC: I would first like to know your occupation. Where do you work and what are your duties within the studio?

HT: I am the founder and creative lead. Currently I have a tenant space on the CCAD - Columbus College of Art & Design campus. I do it all, producer, director, secretary, mail person, motivator and sometimes even some video work. I guess I should mention the name of the studio—Tarrka Studios.

TC: Wow! That's amazing. Sorry, it took me a while to make the connection...

What do you think about the quality of TV show cartoons today, compared to what they were back then?

HT: I'd say that probably there's an equal amount of really good ones today to "back then" and just about the same amount of less than stellar ones too. And what are you considering as to "back then"?

TC: "Back then" as in mostly in the 90s.

HT: Wow, that's not that long ago.

TC: Well, I wanted to work with a smaller timeline because of the range of cartoons out there, but I have done some critiques on cartoons from the 80s and 70s

HT: Ok...

TC: What is one of your favorite modern day cartoon. Explain why.

HT: Phineas & Ferb—it's completely different for Disney. Actually, Disney didn't want to do it because it didn't fit the mold—glad they did. Which one is yours?

TC: Mine are Adventure Time and Regular Show. The animation and Visual asthetic is different. It's origanal, but stays true to the classc cartoon style of the 40s "noodle" style of cartoons...What modern day cartoon do you hate or dislike and why?

HT: I can picture it in my head, but I don't know the name.....I was channel surfing and came across one in particular—very much flat 2D and I just didn't like it. I realize that if you stay with half animation, you can quickly churn out episodes, but I'm more into quality of the animation.

TC: Yes, I completely agree. I'm prety open-minded when it comes to cartoons, but the one I absolutly hate is the Annoying Orange. I don't understand how it made it on Cartoon Network. The animation is horrible, there's no creativity involved and it's annoying...

HT: Yep, at least you know the name of the cartoon. I just tune them out.

TC: What classic cartoon did you love watching and why?

HT: When I was little it was Casper—but for some reason it was rarely on.  It was fun seeing what you imagined a ghost could do. The remakes were terrible, esepcially the 2D/3D combo. I also liked the Jetsons—again completely different environment.

TC: Would the remakes of Casper be the cartoons you disliked?

HT: No, that was just a bad animated/live action movie. It's new, flat 2D I think on the Disney channel or possibly Nick.

TC: So, how do you feel about the future of cartoons?

HT: Just like animated movies, I think the future can be bright. There will always be talent and creative ideas.

TC: From my research, I've noticed that more and more cartoons are incorporating violence, sexual innuendoes, and vulgarity in the new cartoons. I have also noticed that people enjoy cartoons with these elements. How do you feel about these kind of cartoons?

HT: Well, if you look at South Park, it's been going on for a while. They are for a certain audience, but certainly not for children.

TC: How do you feel about more watered-down cartoons, with adult humor in them, such as: Regular Show, MAD, Adventure Time, etc.?

HT: Well, other than the fact that I haven't even tuned to see what they're all about, what can I say?  If you saw my video collection, you'd think that a kid lives here—yep, me.... a grown up kid. I think that as long as kids aren't accidentally exposed to more adult cartoons, it is ok. The one thing that I definitely have an issue with is the violence and sex. It's amazing how some young adults do not know how to separate a game or cartoon from real life.

TC: I agree. I feel that studios are being a little bit more free with what they put into their cartoons. I do commend that to a certain extent, but there are some kid cartoons that are ment for an adult audience.

HT: Children are subjected to way too much adult content—be it if they see the news at school and even just out in public.  In some respects, between them wanting to grow up too soon, sometimes they have no choice.

TC: Yea, It's sad. I am also a kid at heart, and even as an adult I feel very uncomfortable about the things they show not only on TV, but what people are willing to do in public.

HT: Very true...

TC: When watching a new cartoon, what is the first thing you evaluate?

HT: It's a tie between the storyline and the animation. As with animated movies—cartoons, live action, etc.—if you don't have a good story, you might as well forget it.

TC: Yea, the story is the driving force of any cartoon or movie. I have also noticed that a lot of people, in person and online, talk bad about the new cartoons and saying how they aren't as good as the old school cartoons. They expect everyone to agree, but they give no eveidence to persuade me to agree with them. Do you think that just because we may grow up with a certain genre of cartoons, that we are less likely to be open-minded about newer ones?

HT: You will find that with any medium, there is always that affinity to what you grew up with and then use that as a barometer to judge new work. Although, if one is truly a creative individual, you should be able to appreciate new works/genres. If you think about it, all creative works are a reflection of the times in which we live.....a time capsule without having to be buried for decades. Which is why some works have a short life span....it is due to the very nature of what is being told.  You notice there are some cartoons that have revamped themselves, but are still able to stay relevant today.

Case in point—Marvel, Bat Man, Spider Man.

TC: What do you think about the new Looney Tunes Show on Cartoon Network?

HT: Didn't even know there was a new one. For some reason when I surf to Cartoon Network, I'm always finding the old cartoons. I'm gonna have to check it out! What do you think about it?

TC: I think it's ok. The animation isn't as good as the origanal, but I like how different it is. I also think it's pretty funny. I honestly can say that I enjoy it, but it can never be as good as the origanal. I was thinking of doing a comparison between the old and new looney tunes shows. I Have gotten a lot of mixed signals about the new show from my friends, but I keep telling them to be open-minded.

HT: Ah, but even you like the older ones. The biggest problem is the fact that studios are trying to produce without spending the time to ensure quality animation.....because of the cost factor. It's a vicious cycle. And another problem, today's society is so "has to be instantaneous", if it takes more than a couple of seconds, then it's too slow.

TC: Hahaha! Yes, guilty as charged. And yes, It's sad really. I saw this documentary on Chuck Jones, and the creation of the Looney Tunes. It was amazing! The artistry behind the cartoon was breathe taking. The time and effort it took him, the thought process and creativity was astounding. That's why I love cartoons. There's more to it than meets the eye.

HT: One of the animated series my studio is doing will be full animation... pretty much unheard of today.

TC: I am looking forward to seeing your new series!

HT: Thanks!  Same can be said for animated movies.....then again with 2D and the digital age, it's definitely bittersweet. I'm a purist—just because you can create animation faster doesn't always equal to better. The other animated series we're doing is only going to be half animation, but with the tricks of the trade, will look like full animation.

TC: Ok, that's all of the questions I have for you. Thanks again, I really enjoyed talking to you.

HT: No problem. Like I said, I'm not up on very many of the newer cartoons, but I do know the ones on the Disney Channel and to a very lesser extent Cartoon Network (which seems that I hit the old ones vs. the ones you mentioned). Have a good evening!

TC: Thanks, you to!

The Misadventures of Flapjack vs. Spongebob Squarepants

Today I will be reviewing The Misadventures of Flapjack (2008) and Spongebob Squarepants (1999). The Misadventures of Flapjack is an animated series about a young adventure loving boy named Flapjack along with his best friend Captain K’nuckles, his adoptive whale-mother Bubbie. The show centers around their adventures in the port city called Stormalong Harbor and their quest to look for the legendary Candied Island. Spongebob Squarepants is about the underwater life of a yellow sea sponge named Spongebob; which includes his job as a Fry Cook, Jellyfishing for jellyfish and having fun with his friends. His best friend is his neighbor, Patrick Star (a starfish). His other neighbor and “friend” Squidward (a squid), and Sandy Cheeks (a squirrel in a diving suit). 

The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack Critique

It is difficult to say who the general audience is for this series. It is appealing enough that children can watch and easily get a laugh out of it, but some of the older viewers will be able to fully understand some of the jokes, such as Maple Syrup and candy being used as alcohol. The shows humor is somewhat bizarre and based off of false assumptions. For example, the doctor appears to have eaten a patient, because of the blood all over his face. The show later reveals that the blood was actually jelly from eating jelly sandwiches off the patient. 

Flapjack is shown to be the most animated character. His arms tend to fling around like noodles and has many different running cycles for nearly every time he runs. K’nuckles animation is stiff at best. Well, with him being old and having most of his body replaced with wooden limbs, this actually suits the character. The show constantly uses stop-motion puppets for one-time characters or short segments for the regular characters.

The colors used for Stromalong tend to be pretty dark and give a grungy appearance. The filth can be spotted around the town, which communicates the economy's depression that is present in Stormalong. Even the characters have dark colors to either signify their alignment, enhance their disfiguration or to show that they're suffering from the plague. Characters such as Flapjack and Peppermint Larry tend to have lighter colors due to both of them being happy and care free most of the time.The series is nothing short of amazing; it contains laughs, adventure, some moral lessons for kids and can be enjoyed by the whole family. [1]

Spongebob Squarepants Critique

This shows general audience is intended for young viewers, but some of the humor and hidden innuendos will appeal to older viewers. The humor of the show is a bit dull; there are times when the show is funny and times when it tries to be funny. Spongebob appears to be the only character that is well animated, while the other characters are mildly simple animation. Since he is a sponge, he is able to stretch and split himself apart; thus utilizing the squash and stretch principle. Squidward, who is one of the least animated characters in the show, expresses his emotions primarily through his body language; his main expressions are anger, annoyance, depression, and happiness. 

The colors shown throughout the show are calm and simple. The episodes usually start out as a peaceful relaxing day in Bikini Bottom; the use of bright colors and flower shaped clouds in the background help bring that feeling of peace and tranquility. The same could be said for the background characters in the show. Though they may not be too important, you get the feeling that they are living a normal life.

When the show first started it seemed to be one of the greatest cartoons on television, but as time went by fans began to believe that the series has lost its luster. Never the less, it still provides good entertainment for fans both old and new. [2]

My Opinion

Both shows are amazing, but if I had to choose one over the other I would side with Flapjack. The show pokes fun at adult jokes, yet still stays kid friendly and provides many random misunderstood moments that viewers will laugh at either way. I found the early episodes of Spongebob to be more enjoyable than the new ones; so if you’re new to the series I recommend looking for clips from the first two seasons of the show to get a good laugh.

Author: Ramsey Parks


[1] The Marvelous Misadventures of Flapjack. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5,2012, from 
         http://flapjack.wikia.com/wiki/The_Marvelous_Misadventures_of_Flapjack

[2] Spongebob Squarepants. (n.d.). Retrieved December 5,2012 from 
         http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0206512/

This timeline gives the basic range of cartoons that I will choose from. The light pink side of the timeline is the Seniors (old-school cartoons) and the red side is the Juniors (modern cartoons). I will choose two cartoons that are somewhat similar to each other, but in different premier dates. The "Too Close for Comfort" zone (highlighted center of timeline) are the dates that I will try to avoid. This zone represents the cartoons that are to close to each other in dates; my goal is to choose two cartoons at least 5 years apart from each other. If one cartoon lands in this zone, the other must be outside of the zone. 

[1] "Smurphs" Image (Fanpop.com)
[2] "Johnny Test" Image (Wikia.com)
[3] "Thundercats" Image (Collider.com)
[4] "Hey Arnold" Image (Heyarnold.wiki.com)
[5] ''Courage the Cowardly Dog" Image (Fanpop.com)
[6] "Regular Show" Image (Wikipedia.com)

Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy vs. Beetlejuice

Hello everyone, today I will be critiquing The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy (2003) and Beetlejuice (1988). The Grimm Adventures of Billy and Mandy is a cartoon show about a dim-whited, idiotic and friendly boy named Billy; an evil, cold-hearted dominating girl named Mandy and a dark, gloomy reaper named Grim. After Grim loses against the two children in a game of limbo, he is forced to spend eternity as their slave. They use Grim's powers to obtain things that they want or to gain special powers. Mandy's main objectives in the show is to control Grim and world domination. On several occasions, opportunity knocks and gives her what she wants, but she turns it down saying it's not the right time. Billy, on the other hand, is too stupid to even tie his own shoe, so he's stuck as Mandy's henchman. Although the children torment and boss Grim around, he feels a sense a friendship and love towards them. 

Beetlejuice is an animated cartoon series based on Tim Burton's original movie, Beetlejuice—how ironic.  Though the story and chemistry between Lydia and Beetlejuice are different, there are are some aspects of the cartoon that still remain true to the movie. The cartoon is centered on Lydia and Beetlejuice's adventures in the real world and the Neitherworld (the world of the dead and supernatural). The differences and similarities between the cartoon and the movie are as follows: 

• In the cartoon, Lydia and Beetlejuice are best friends and care for each other. In the movie, Lydia is disgusted by him and is threatened to marry him. 
• The cartoon uses the same catchphrases Beetlejuice uses in the movie, like "It's showtime" and "Save that guy for later."
• The Beetlejuice call still remains the same, but in the cartoon, Lydia says a chant before the call and summons Beetlejuice to her room. 
• Lydia's parents are unaware of Beetlejuice's existence in the cartoon and they live in a town called Peaceful Pines instead of Winter River.

There are other differences between the two, but the comedic and Burtonesque theme remains true.

The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy

I honestly think the general audience for this cartoon is for a teenagers and adults. The style may appeal to a younger audience, but the dark humor and themes are meant for a mature audience. The humor consists of dark themes, visual jokes and parodies. At times, the humor can be a little flat, but Billy keeps the entertainment going. His stupidity and how Grim and Mandy play off of it, is the major factor that really makes this cartoon funny. The characters and the actors behind the characters work so well together. As odd as the trio may be, they blesh well together and they complement each over. The visual style is simple and clean, yet some of the characters are willing to break their character model to convey an emotion or a state of mind. Episode "Wishbones" is a perfect example of the break of the character model, in the scene where Pud'n wishes for a bunny that will love him. The magical skull grants his wish, but the wish is faulty. We see the bunny and Pud'n talking to each other. The bunny then tells Pud'n about "tough love" and breaks model when his sweet innocent loving face turns into a demonic, sharped toothed monster. The awkward blank stare that Pud'n gives is hilarious! Another example is the "Attack of the Clowns" where Billy sees a clown and goes into and extreme facial expression when he screams. Those little moments is what brings the cartoon to life. 

The cinematic editing is surprisingly amazing for a cartoon. The canted angles, zoom in/out, long, medium and close up shots provoke emotions and drama to the cartoon, as these methods do in any other movie. I 'll refer back to the same scene with Pud'n in the "Wishbone" episode. The over the shoulder shots give a clear idea as to who is speaking and the conversation that Pud'n is having with the skull. Then the Slow zoom-in's add a dark and dramatic affect as the skull grants Pud'n's wish. In the episode, "El Dia de Los Muertos Stupidos", the scene where Billy's dad (Herald) is making a tent, is full of cinematic elements. There is a follow-through cut, starting with a close-up shot of Herald  putting his undies on the cactus and then cuts to him stretching them out to make the tent shape. There is then a zoom out shot of Grim and Billy in the tent, then zooms out to show Herald an Mandy talking to each other; then it cuts to just Herald and Mandy talking. These elements add continuity throughout the show and draws the audiences eyes to where the action is taking place.  

The animation is also well done. The animation style is clean and extreme. The timing is perfect and each character's personality is clearly expressed through the animation. The animation done for Jack in the "Jacked Up Halloween" episode, clearly shows his lively and goofy personality before his head decapitation and his sinister, dark personality after. The color palette is specific to the two worlds within the cartoon. The real world combines soft and bright, cheerful colors to give an eerie sense of perfection. The colors used for the underworld are dark, rich colors which make the underworld seem more lively and exciting. The rich colors are in conjunction to the dark theme of the cartoon and the characters are colored to match their particular style and personality. 

Overall, the cartoon is amazingly entertaining and pleasing to watch. The dark humor and animation compliment each other very well. The two combined is what really makes the show. It is a cartoon that and older generation can enjoy and appreciate. [1]

Beetlejuice

The general audience for this cartoon show is children, aging between 6-10 years old. The style and format of the cartoon may appeal to an older audience, but it is not as entertaining. The humor consists of slap-stick comedy, parodies and lots of visual puns. The visual puns are a little weak, but they convey the joke clearly. Again, this cartoon caters more to a younger audience so the jokes and gags need to be read easily and clearly, which it successfully does. The humor may be lacking a bit, but the animation style is amazing. The squash and stretch is overly exaggerated, but works for this particular cartoon. It has the Roger Rabbit, Richard Williams kind of feel and brings much more depth to the characters' personalities. For instance, Beetlejuice is a ghoulish con-artist who has a fun, lively personality and we can clearly pick this up from his movements. His movements are very flamboyant, fluid and exaggerated. Lydia is a more of an introvert. Her movements aren't as big and exaggerated as his, but when they are together you can see the difference. The first and second season intro, is beautifully done and well timed. The cartoon in general, is not as well animated as the intro, but it still has great extremes .

The colors in the cartoon seem a little dull, but communicate clearly. The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy follows this show's coloring method in separating the two worlds. Cinematic methods aren't as well done as it's Junior competitor, but it does have continuity and is easy to follow. The visual architecture is the classic 80s style, due to the fact that is was made in the 80s. The ghosts and ghouls are more creatively drawn than the human beings in the real world and the environment clearly sheds a light on the genius that is Tim Burton. 

This cartoon is a classic, but doesn't really stand out from the crowd—sorry Mr. Burton. The story and theme is different from a lot of the cartoons that were showing at the time, but the basic animatic and cinematic elements are lacking. [2]

My Opinion

I honestly enjoy the Junior way more that it's Senior. The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy  has that cinematic artistry that really calls my attention and the dark humor is extremely funny. Beetlejuice is an enjoyable cartoon, but I doesn't compare. I enjoy collecting cartoon series DVDs and my choice would be The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy—again, sorry Mr. Burton.



[1] Tv.com. (n.d.). The Grim Adventures of Billy and Mandy: Wishbones. Retrieved   
          November 26, 2012, from  http://www.tv.com/shows/the-grim-adventures-of-
          billy-and-mandy/wishbones-438816/ 

[2] Bcbd.com. (2012). Beetlejuice TV Episode Guide. Retrieved November 26, 2012, from 
         http://www.tv.com/shows/the-grim-adventures-of-billy-and-mandy/wishbones-
         438816/